U.S. patent application number 13/934763 was filed with the patent office on 2013-11-07 for programmable communicator.
The applicant listed for this patent is M2M Solutions LLC. Invention is credited to Eveline Wesby-van Swaay.
Application Number | 20130295883 13/934763 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 8558437 |
Filed Date | 2013-11-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130295883 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wesby-van Swaay; Eveline |
November 7, 2013 |
Programmable Communicator
Abstract
A programmable communicator device is disclosed having a
wireless communications circuit, including an antenna, configured
to receive a transmission, and an identity module having a unique
identifier. The programmable communicator further includes a
processing module including program code configured to determine if
the transmission is from an authenticated caller by determining
whether a received transmission contains the unique identifier, and
memory configured to store telephone numbers or IP addresses
received in transmissions from an authenticated caller.
Inventors: |
Wesby-van Swaay; Eveline;
(Stratford-upon-Avon, GB) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
M2M Solutions LLC |
Stratford-upon-Avon |
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GB |
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Family ID: |
8558437 |
Appl. No.: |
13/934763 |
Filed: |
July 3, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13801773 |
Mar 13, 2013 |
8542111 |
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13934763 |
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13328095 |
Dec 16, 2011 |
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13801773 |
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12538603 |
Aug 10, 2009 |
8094010 |
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13328095 |
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11329212 |
Jan 10, 2006 |
7583197 |
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12538603 |
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10296571 |
Jan 21, 2003 |
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PCT/EP01/05738 |
May 18, 2001 |
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11329212 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
455/411 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04M 1/677 20130101;
H04W 12/06 20130101; H04M 1/7253 20130101; H04M 1/72547 20130101;
H04W 24/02 20130101; H04M 2250/02 20130101; H04W 8/22 20130101;
H04W 84/04 20130101; H04M 11/002 20130101; H04W 4/12 20130101; H04M
1/05 20130101; H04W 4/16 20130101; H04B 7/24 20130101; H04W 4/50
20180201; H04M 1/663 20130101; H04M 1/72538 20130101; H04M 1/2535
20130101; H04M 1/275 20130101; H04L 67/02 20130101; H04M 1/6775
20130101; H04M 1/72563 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
455/411 |
International
Class: |
H04W 12/06 20060101
H04W012/06 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 23, 2000 |
FI |
20001239 |
Claims
1. A programmable communicator device comprising: a wireless
communications circuit for communicating through an antenna over a
communications network; a programmable interface for establishing a
communication link with at least one monitored technical device,
wherein the programmable interface is programmable by wireless
packet switched data messages; and a processing module for
authenticating one or more wireless transmissions sent from a
programming transmitter and received by the programmable
communicator device by determining if at least one transmission
contains a coded number; wherein the programmable communicator
device is configured to use a memory to store at least one
telephone number or IP address included within at least one of the
transmissions as a list of one or more linked numbers to which the
programmable communicator device may send outgoing wireless
transmissions if the processing module authenticates the at least
one of the transmissions including the at least one telephone
number or IP address and the coded number by determining that the
at least one of the transmissions includes the coded number;
wherein the programmable communicator device is configured to use
an identity module for storing a unique identifier that is unique
to the programmable communicator device; and wherein the one or
more wireless transmissions from the programming transmitter
comprises a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) or other wireless
packet switched data message; and wherein the programmable
communicator device is configured to process data received through
the programmable interface from the at least one monitored
technical device in response to programming instructions received
in an incoming wireless packet switched data message.
2. A programmable communicator device according to claim 1, wherein
the processing module is configured to process data received
through the programmable interface from the at least one monitored
technical device in response to programming instructions received
in an incoming wireless packet switched data message.
3. A programmable communicator device according to claim 1, wherein
the programmable communicator device comprises the identity
module.
4. A programmable communicator device according to claim 1 wherein
the wireless communications circuit is configured to receive
wireless transmissions compliant with Bluetooth wireless air
interface standards.
5. A programmable communicator device according to claim 1 wherein
each linked number comprises a corresponding stored telephone
number or IP address stored into a permitted callers list to which
the wireless communications circuit is restricted to send outgoing
wireless transmissions in response to programming instructions
received in an incoming wireless packet switched data message.
6. A programmable communicator device according to claim 1 further
configured to request that an at least one monitored technical
device send data through the programmable interface for processing
by the programmable communicator device in response to programming
instructions received in an incoming wireless packet switched data
message.
7. A programmable communicator device according to claim 1 further
configured to transmit the processed data to an at least one
monitoring device in response to programming instructions received
in an incoming wireless packet switched data message.
8. A programmable communicator device according to claim 7, wherein
the processing module is configured to cause the processed data to
be transmitted to the at least one monitoring device in response to
programming instructions received in an incoming wireless packet
switched data message.
9. A programmable communicator device according to claim 7 further
configured to determine whether the data request initiated by the
monitoring device includes a required access code in response to
programming instructions received in an incoming wireless packet
switched data message.
10. A programmable communicator device according to claim 9,
wherein the processing module is configured to determine whether
the data request includes the required access code in response to
programming instructions received in an incoming wireless packet
switched data message.
11. A programmable communicator device according to claim 1 further
configured to determine whether the processed received data
indicates a change in status of the at least one monitored
technical device that crosses a threshold parameter, or that
otherwise indicates an alarm condition in response to programming
instructions received in an incoming wireless packet switched data
message.
12. A programmable communicator device according to claim 11
further configured to send an at least one transmission for
alerting an at least one monitoring device of said change in status
or other alarm condition in response to programming instructions
received in an incoming wireless packet switched data message.
13. A programmable communicator device according to claim 1 further
configured to request that an at least one monitored technical
device send data through the programmable interface for receipt by
the programmable communicator device in response to programming
instructions received in an incoming wireless packet switched data
message.
14. A programmable communicator device according to claim 1 further
configured to transmit the received data to an at least one
monitoring device either periodically or in response to a data
request initiated by the monitoring device in response to
programming instructions received in an incoming wireless packet
switched data message.
15. A programmable communicator device according to claim 14,
wherein the processing module is configured to cause the received
data to be transmitted to the at least one monitoring device in
response to programming instructions received in an incoming
wireless packet switched data message.
16. (canceled)
17. A programmable communicator device according to claim 1
configured to process an at least one data monitoring or data
collection request contained in an at least one transmission
received from an at least one monitoring device in response to
programming instructions received in an incoming wireless packet
switched data message.
18. (canceled)
19. A programmable communicator device according to claim 1 further
comprising a location processing module configured to determine an
at least one location of the programmable communicator device, and
wherein the programmable communicator device is configured to
respond to an at least one transmission initiated by an at least
one monitoring device requesting that said location data be sent to
the monitoring device in response to programming instructions
received in an incoming wireless packet switched data message.
20. A programmable communicator device according to claim 19
wherein the location processing module comprises a Global
Positioning System (GPS) module.
21. A programmable communicator device according to claim 1 wherein
the monitored technical device is a sensor device.
22. A programmable communicator device according to claim 1 wherein
the monitored technical device is a health monitoring system.
23. A programmable communicator device according to claim 22
wherein the programmable communicator device is configured to
receive data from the health monitoring system through the
programmable interface representing at least one of body
temperature, blood pressure, periodic or continuous
electrocardiogram heart rhythm, blood glucose concentration, blood
electrolyte concentration, kidney function, liver function, and
labor contractions in response to programming instructions received
in an incoming wireless packet switched data message.
24. A programmable communicator device according to claim 1 wherein
the monitored technical device is a vending machine.
25. A programmable communicator device according to claim 1 wherein
the monitored technical device is a home or domestic appliance.
26. A programmable communicator device according to claim 1 wherein
the monitored technical device is at least one of a door status
monitoring device, a window status monitoring device, a proximity
detector device, and a fire alarm device.
Description
PRIORITY
[0001] This patent application is a continuation of and claims
priority from all priority dates of U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 13/801,773, filed Mar. 13, 2013, and entitled "Programmable
Communicator" (attorney docket number 3781/1010). U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 13/801,773 is a continuation of and claims
priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/328,095, filed Dec.
16, 2011, and entitled "Programmable Communicator" (attorney docket
number 3781/1007), which is a continuation of and claims priority
to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/538,603, filed Aug. 10,
2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,094,010, and entitled "Programmable
Communicator" (attorney docket number 3781/1006), which is a
continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 11/329,212, filed Jan. 10, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,583,197,
and entitled "Programmable Communicator" (attorney docket number
3781/1002), which is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 10/296,571, filed Jan. 21, 2003, and
entitled "Programmable Communicator," which, in turn, is a National
Phase filing of and claims priority to PCT/EP01/05738 filed on May
18, 2001, which further claims priority from Finland Application
20001239, filed May 23, 2000. The disclosures of each of these
applications are incorporated herein by reference in their
entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to a programmable wireless
communications apparatus. More particularly, it relates to a
programmable wireless communications apparatus, which can provide
an improved means of communication between children and their
parents, between elderly persons and caring relatives, and between
mentally less-able individuals and supervising adults. In addition,
the invention provides a solution for smart clothes applications,
which may comprise a telecommunications means within the lining of
a jacket or other article of clothing, as well as a solution for
user-programmable data tags which convey information from remotely
located devices such as vending machines. The invention relates to
and significantly improves upon a previously filed patent
application claiming Finnish priority of Sep. 9, 1997 entitled a
Portable Hotlink Communicator published as international patent
application PCT/GB98/02715.
[0003] In this previously filed application, is taught the
invention of using a mobile phone comprising a programmable
identity module such as a SIM card, in the context of the GSM
telecommunications standard, to program the number of any mobile or
fixed telephone to which the Hotlink communicator, comprising a
similar type of programmable identity module, is to be linked.
Existing and known methods of communication between the mobile
phone and Hotlink communicator for the purpose of programming
comprise the obvious choice of data calls such as the Short Message
Service in the GSM telecommunications standard. Alternatively a PDA
type communicator might call up a web page to instruct a network
element to program the programmable identity module of the Hotlink
with the number of any fixed or mobile telephone to which the
Hotlink communicator is to be linked.
[0004] This use of a separate mobile phone to program the number to
which the Hotlink may call is particularly useful and convenient
should a parent wish to change the number if the parent must leave
shortly and want that the Hotlink is connected immediately to the
mobile phone or fixed line of another parent or supervising
neighbour.
[0005] The current invention builds upon the teaching of this
earlier application and extends the concept significantly that it
has more general and suitable application to both the child Hotlink
communicator and also to the field of programmable wireless data
communication tags for the purpose of providing information about
the status of a vending machine or other piece of technical
equipment such as a home appliance or a device to monitor whether a
door is open or closed.
[0006] In addition to this, the current invention relates directly
to programmable wireless data communication tags, which comprise
the means to be interfaced directly with other technical equipment
such that each tag can be programmed remotely by any means to be
linked to any fixed or mobile telephone to enable data to be sent
to or from the device and to allow a person to make a voice call
connection to the linked telephone.
[0007] Today parents are concerned whether to provide a young child
with a mobile phone or not. The concern relates to the cost of the
mobile phone should it be lost or stolen and also to the cost of
the use of the mobile phone. Clearly there is a need to provide a
means to limit the cost of calling and also to provide a means to
prevent the child dialling overseas numbers for extensive periods
of time.
[0008] In the context of mobile phone operators, there exists a
need to provide a simple and effective communication device, which
can provide the means for family tariffing such that subscriptions
for children can be related to the subscriptions of their parents'
mobile phones. An improved child Hotlink communicator, which
restricts the usage of the mobile phone and thereby does not
generate high charges through uncontrolled calling, is clearly a
solution to the family tariffing challenge.
[0009] Parents are often concerned about the whereabouts of their
children and new positioning technologies are being developed for
locating mobile phones. These solutions include self-positioning
solutions and remote positioning solutions. One example of a
self-positioning solution includes the satellite-based Global
Positioning System technology in which the mobile phone comprising
a GPS signal processing circuit is able to determine the
coordinates of its own position by processing signals received from
satellites and communicate these coordinates to a location centre
associated with the network. One example of a remote positioning
solution is the method taught in U.S. Pat. No. 5,051,741 claiming
priority of Mar. 27, 1990 in which the mobile phone is paged and
caused to transmit a response which is processed by communication
stations such as time-of-arrival measurement units associated with
the network of master stations or base stations.
[0010] This remote positioning method has the advantage that the
position of the mobile phone can be determined by making use of
existing signalling between the mobile phone and the network
without requiring any changes to the mobile phone, which would
increase its cost.
[0011] The generic network-based, remote-positioning architecture
method of U.S. Pat. No. 5,051,741 may make use of time of arrival
methods or phase difference calculations to increase the resolution
of the area or sector within which the mobile phone is located.
[0012] While the location of the mobile phone itself is a good
indication of the present location of the person carrying the
mobile phone, an improvement would be a means to lock the mobile
phone to the child, such that use of the mobile phone positioning
technologies would then determine the position of the child.
[0013] In addition to these concerns about the failures of existing
mobile communications technology to provide an improved and more
secure method of instant communication between a parent and a young
child, and the means to determine the position of the child, there
is additional concern that the battery of the communicator may
drain its power without the parent knowing, or may be removed,
which would prevent the communicator from receiving calls or
dialling to the programmed fixed or mobile number to which the
communicator is linked.
[0014] In addition to these specific communication problem needs,
there is a growing yet unsubstantiated concern about the
potentially harmful effect of electromagnetic radiation from mobile
phones upon the developing brains of young children. Within this
context, there is an opportunity to design a communication device
for children, which positions the radiating electromagnetic field
of a communication device away from the close proximity of the
brain. In this regard, parents who maintain the belief that mobile
telephones present a health risk due to the radiating antenna may
rest secure in the knowledge that this risk can be significantly
reduced.
[0015] In a separate context, there exists a growing need for a
mobile telephone solution, which is cost effective to manufacture,
but which is versatile such that it can form the basis for a smart
clothes tag or communications application platform. In this context
the requirement is for an embedded mobile phone platform comprising
no keypad or display, which may be sewn into the lining of a
jacket, or other article of clothing, having only the call button
protruding and a simple pin connection to recharge the battery. The
problem with prior art solutions is that unless the smart clothes
tag can be user-programmable to call any fixed or mobile number by
making use of an acceptable method such as via an SMS data call or
via a BlueTooth radio transmission from a mobile phone or
intelligent PDA, the solution is impractical to implement.
[0016] In security applications where emergency service personnel
carry hand-held primary communications devices such as conventional
mobile phones, a back-up communications device such as a smart
clothes embedded tag can be of great value in the instance that the
primary communications device is lost or broken.
[0017] In sports areas such as on lakes where there may be people
using canoes, a smart clothes communications tag embedded in a life
vest may serve to alert a central control point that a person is in
difficulty and also to alert other persons in the area to go to
their rescue.
[0018] In an additional application area, skiers in difficulty
would benefit from a smart clothes user-programmable communications
tag attached to their clothing, which is pre-programmed to be
linked with a fixed or mobile telephone and need only have its
protruding button pressed to make communication with a central
alarm point.
[0019] In an additional application area there exists the need for
a user-programmable remote wireless communications data tag, which
can be used to relay information about the status of a remote piece
of technical equipment such as a vending machine. Home networks
could be simplified by making use of the existing mobile network
infrastructure to relay data about the status of a home appliance
or to indicate whether a door is open or closed. Packet switched
technologies such as GPRS may be used as the radio access
technology to communicate the status of the technical
equipment.
[0020] In an additional application area there exists the need for
a versatile communications platform, which can be combined with
remote health monitoring technology to assist doctors with remote
diagnosis of patients.
[0021] In an additional application there is the need for a
versatile communications which is able to work effectively when the
network is temporarily overloaded such that it has the means to
store a sound message as a sound byte or convert it using voice
recognition software such that it can be forwarded as soon as the
network capacity becomes less loaded.
[0022] Further to these limitations of existing technologies, and
so far as is known, no portable communication apparatus is
presently available which serves to offer an improved programmable
communicator which is directed towards the specific needs of this
problem area as outlined.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0023] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to
provide an improved programmable communications apparatus, which
can be remotely programmed by any mobile phone or IP device such
that it can be linked to any particular fixed or mobile phone or IP
device.
[0024] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
programmable communications apparatus, which may be programmed at
close range using infrared light or a BlueTooth radio connection,
or via a terminal-to-terminal network based data call such as the
GSM SMS short message service or via a GPRS packet data
communication.
[0025] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
programmable communications apparatus, which may be programmed by a
mobile or fixed device which is able to call up an Internet web
page and which comprises the means to instruct the network to
reprogram the communications apparatus with the mobile or fixed
number to which the programmable communications device is to be
linked.
[0026] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
programmable communications apparatus, which may be programmed via
the Internet such that the network communicates with a device in
the vicinity of the programmable communications apparatus which
itself causes the said apparatus to be programmed using any means
such as wireless communication, infrared light or a BlueTooth radio
link.
[0027] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
plurality of programmable communications apparatuses, which may be
simultaneously programmed by a mobile or fixed device which is able
to call up an Internet web page and select one or more apparatuses
of the said plurality and cause each of the selected number of
apparatuses to be linked to the identical mobile or fixed
telephone.
[0028] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
programmable communications apparatus, which comprises a processing
means to process coded transmissions and permit only transmissions
comprising a coded number, which determines the authenticity of the
message, to be allowed to program the number to which the said
apparatus be linked.
[0029] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
programmable communications apparatus, which comprises a wrist
strap, or an attachment such as in the case of the smart clothes
application, and a first alarm means which can be programmed such
that it can cause a message to be sent to the fixed or mobile
number to which the said apparatus is linked in the case that the
wrist strap be broken or undone or in the case that the said
attachment be broken or displaced from an initial position of
equilibrium.
[0030] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
programmable communications apparatus, which may have a separate
pressure sensitive means or displaceable means which becomes
activated in the pressed position or displaced position
respectively such that it is able to generate an alarm or data
message when pressure is removed or when the displacement returns
to the non-displaced position. Such a feature serves, by way of
example, to replace the need for the wrist strap feature of the
previous object such that when the wrist worn communicator is
removed from the wrist the pressure sensitive means or displaceable
means can provide the required alarm message.
[0031] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
programmable communications apparatus, which comprises a heat
sensor, which can detect that the communicator is adjacent to a
heat source such as the skin of a child and the means to generate
an alarm message if the heat source is removed.
[0032] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
programmable communications apparatus, which has the means to
detect any other detectable physical characteristic of the human
skin, which may be used to trigger an alarm if the means is moved
away from the skin.
[0033] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
programmable communications apparatus for a security application,
which comprises an infrared heat detector and which is able to
generate an alarm message if a change in the level of infrared
radiation is detected.
[0034] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
programmable communications apparatus, which may form part of a
home network of devices, which is used to monitor a domestic
appliance such as a washing machine or a device to monitor whether
a door or window is open or closed and to react to a change in
status of said appliance or device by sending an alarm message or
data message to a linked fixed or mobile telephone or internet IP
address to indicate a current status of said appliance or device.
In addition the said apparatus may be incorporated in a bicycle
frame or attached to a bicycle for monitoring movement of the
bicycle.
[0035] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
programmable communications apparatus, which has a memory means to
store sound as a sound byte for a certain period of time such as
the voice of the child wearing the programmable communicator and
the means to send this sound to the telephone number to which the
said apparatus is linked.
[0036] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
programmable communications apparatus, which has a means to store
and transmit a sound byte in response to receiving a sound above a
predetermined threshold such that a person who is in distress may
shout out and the distress call is processed by the programmable
communicator and forwarded to the fixed or mobile telephone or IP
address to which the said communicator is linked.
[0037] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
programmable communications apparatus, which is able to make a call
to a linked fixed or mobile telephone or IP address and which if it
detects that the telephone number is engaged or does not answer or
that the IP address is invalid, the said apparatus has the means to
select any other telephone number or IP address in the permitted
callers list such that it can be connected to said other telephone
or IP device.
[0038] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
programmable communications apparatus, which is able to store a
sound byte or store a data record and send the sound byte or data
record to any other telephone number or IP address in the permitted
callers list after a certain interval of time in the instance that
the primary number or IP address is engaged or connection is not
able to be made at that time due to the network capacity not being
sufficient at that time. The feature may also include a continuous
retry feature such that the attempt to send the sound byte or data
record is continued until the sound byte or data record is
successfully sent.
[0039] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
programmable communications apparatus, which has the means to
convert a voice message into text and send this as a data message
to a fixed or mobile telephone or IP address to which the said
apparatus is linked.
[0040] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
programmable communications apparatus, which is able to receive
data from a plurality of data monitoring devices, which may be
connected by any wired or wireless means, and that each of said
devices has an associated status condition, such that the
programmable communications apparatus can transmit data from said
devices on request or periodically to a fixed or mobile telephone
or IP address to which the said apparatus is linked.
[0041] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
programmable communications apparatus, in which the said first
alarm means may communicate directly with a central communications
point in the network.
[0042] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
programmable communications apparatus, in which the said first
alarm means may communicate directly with a web page and write
information to that page or cause an E-mail to be sent to a
specific address.
[0043] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
programmable communications apparatus, which comprises a second
alarm means, which can be programmed to cause a message to be sent
to the fixed or mobile number to which the said apparatus is linked
in the case that the battery is low in power or in the case that
the battery is removed or in the case that the communicator be
switched off.
[0044] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
programmable communications apparatus, which comprises a second
alarm means, which can be programmed to send a message periodically
comprising any status message such as the current power status of
the battery.
[0045] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
programmable communications apparatus, which comprises a battery
charger adapter-pin such that the apparatus can make use of
suitable battery chargers of other mobile phones.
[0046] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
programmable communications apparatus, which comprises the means to
be interrogated remotely by another fixed or mobile telephone or
network connected device, such that different codes are used to
obtain different data from the said apparatus. In the context of
remote health monitoring, by way of example, a doctor could send
different codes from her mobile terminal and obtain different data
on blood pressure and the heart rate of the person wearing the
apparatus associated with a health monitoring system. The said
apparatus may make use of physical monitoring means associated with
said apparatus for providing information about the skin temperature
and blood pressure and other characteristics of the human body.
[0047] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
programmable communications apparatus, which has application to
smart clothes such that it provides a secondary communications
means for emergency service personnel.
[0048] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
programmable communications apparatus, which is suitable for
attachment to a life vest. A further object of this application
includes a water-enabled communications apparatus, which may be
used to communicate with a portable central communications
unit.
[0049] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
programmable communications apparatus, which comprises a GPS signal
processing circuit and the means to respond to an authenticated
request to determine its own position and send data relating to its
position to the linked fixed or mobile telephone or to a location
determination centre or to a specified web page.
[0050] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
programmable communications apparatus, which may be securely
attached to a device such as a bicycle, which may be used for
communication and for determining the position of the bicycle.
[0051] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
programmable communications apparatus, which is suitable for young
children such that it comprises an auto-answer facility to connect
the caller immediately with an associated microphone and
loudspeaker to avoid the need that the child must press a button to
answer the call. This application also includes the feature, which
returns the programmable communicator automatically to idle state
as soon as the caller to the child terminates the call remotely.
This avoids the need that the child must terminate the call. It
also prevents the child from terminating the call by accident.
[0052] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
programmable communications apparatus, which can be used with
mobile location based services such that it is possible for an
authenticated person to access a web page, either on a hand-held
terminal or fixed device, which shows the position of the
programmable communications apparatus as an icon on a map after its
position has been determined by its own GPS signal processing
circuitry or remotely by the network.
[0053] Other objects and advantages of this invention will become
apparent from the description to follow when read in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0054] Certain of the foregoing and related objects are
readily-attained according to the present invention by the
provision of a novel portable programmable communicator, which
serves to address the diverse communication requirements of
children and elderly persons and for the purposes of remote data
monitoring applications such as for monitoring the status of remote
technical devices.
[0055] The programmable communicator preferably comprises a basic
mobile telephone circuit having no keypad or display and a
rechargeable battery and antenna and a basic two-way microphone
device and remotely pre-programmable identity module linking it to
a single mobile or fixed telephone. Where appropriate, in
alternative embodiments, the programmable communicator comprises an
alarm means to indicate certain conditions of the communicator such
as the charge level of its battery or if the battery is removed.
Similar alarm messages are generated according to the particular
embodiment of the programmable communicator application which
include the generation of messages when an associated wrist strap
or attachment of the communicator in the case of a smart clothes
application is undone or displaced or when the communicator is
switched on or off or when the communicator is set to monitor the
status condition of an associated device and the status changes
beyond a preset threshold level. The invention also includes the
generation of periodic messages to indicate that the communicator
is working and that any associated status condition thresholds
remain unchanged. This last set of messages, which includes
periodic reassurances messages includes the facility that the user
may set the duration of the period according to the
application.
[0056] The programmable communicator has direct and effective
application to home networks for the purpose of transmitting
information about the status condition of domestic appliances such
as the pressure of water pipes and whether a door or window is
opened or closed. The wireless programmable communicator can be
attached to an associated monitoring device and programmed with the
number of a mobile or fixed telephone to which it is to be linked
or to an Internet web page which can be made accessible to
authenticated users or to security monitoring personnel.
[0057] Other objects and features of the present invention will
become apparent from the following detailed description considered
in connection with the accompanying drawings, which disclose one
embodiment of the invention. It is to be understood, however, that
the drawings are designed for the purpose of illustration only and
that the particular description of the portable hot link
communicating apparatus is given by way of example only and does
not limit the scope of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0058] The foregoing features of the invention will be more readily
understood by reference to the following detailed description,
taken with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0059] FIG. 1 illustrates the schematic of the programmable
communicator according to one embodiment of the invention.
[0060] FIG. 2 illustrates a schema showing the actions performed by
the programmable communicator in response to an incoming call or
message according to the present invention.
[0061] FIG. 3 illustrates a schema showing actions done by the
programmable communicator and the outgoing calls or messages, which
are generated as a consequence of said actions.
DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0062] Referring now in detail to the drawings and in particular
FIG. 1 thereof, therein illustrated is a programmable communicating
apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0063] The following description makes reference to the detailed
features as outlined in the objects of the invention.
[0064] In FIG. 1 is shown a telephone circuit 10, which comprises
an antenna 20 and a battery 30. To the telephone circuit, which may
similarly comprise a communicating PDA device circuit, is shown an
optional BlueTooth module 40 for communication with a nearby data
communication or programming device having a similar BlueTooth
radio module. The telephone circuit 10 has a ringing tone generator
and an auto answer module 50 which may be used to cause the
programmable communicator to generate one of a number of ringing
tones or to auto answer upon receipt of an authenticated permitted
caller.
[0065] For the purposes of programming the IP address or telephone
number of the fixed or mobile telephone to which the communicator
is linked is provided an SMS processing means 60. This communicates
with an authentication means 90, which in turn is able to store
numbers into a permitted callers list 110. For the purposes of
security, a sound byte capture means and threshold detector means
100 is provided to generate an alarm message or to send a sound
byte to one of the numbers on the permitted callers list.
Additional voice recognition software may be used to convert the
sound byte into text and send this to the destination telephone
number or IP address.
[0066] An SMS alarm generation means 70 is provided to work
together with a battery charge monitor 35 and a sensor means 80 and
an alarm message list 120 and a programmable interface means 140 to
generate alarm messages in response to changes in status
conditions. Said programmable interface means may be attached to
all manner of sensor devices for the purpose of relaying data from
external devices and sensors either automatically or in response to
a request for information from a remote device.
[0067] The periodic status report means 130 may be programmed to
provide data on the current status of the programmable communicator
as well as data from one or more devices, which may be connected to
the communicator via the BlueTooth module 40.
[0068] In the case that the programmable communicator is unable to
make an immediate connection with the linked telephone or IP
address, a reselection means 150 provides one or more connection
numbers from the permitted callers list.
[0069] This device comprises a novel combination of existing
technologies and features, which make possible the existence of a
new and improved communicating apparatus to address the
communication needs of children and elderly persons and for
programmable data tags for monitoring the status of associated
technical equipment.
[0070] The use of the programmable communicator involves two
phases, a pre-programming phase and an active phase. In the
pre-programming phase, the communicator is programmed with the
number it can call which comprises a unique code. By way of example
only, the invention is now described in the context of the GSM
mobile telecommunications standard using the Short Message Service
or SMS circuit-switched data call. The invention relates to all
telephone standards including, and not limited to CDMA and US-TDMA,
and is effectively used also in a packet switching mode such as the
GSM GPRS packet switching mode. Furthermore the invention is
suitably applicable to IP devices, which comprise IP addresses
rather than telephone numbers.
[0071] According to the invention, it is wished to allow only
authenticated callers to change the telephone number or IP address
of a fixed or mobile telephone or network device to which the
programmable communicator is to be linked. This may be done in GSM
using an SMS message, which includes data as well as a unique code
such as the unique code of the Subscriber Identity Module or SIM
card, often referred to as the PUK code. The PUK code is a unique
identifier, which is different for every SIM card. The choice of
the PUK is made by way of example only and any similar unique
coding may be used for the purpose of the invention
[0072] It is a straightforward procedure to communicate with the
programmable communicator by SMS. The remote transmitting device
includes the PUK code of the receiving programmable communicator in
its SMS transmission as well as a telephone number to which the
programmable communicator is to be linked.
[0073] The programmable communicator includes a processing means to
determine that the PUK code is correct and the means to store the
transmitted number. The PUK code may also be used to program the
list of permitted callers. An SMS comprising the PUK code may
contain a plurality of telephone numbers each of which designates a
permitted caller's number. Only numbers, which are stored as
designated permitted callers, will cause the programmable
communicator to generate a ringing tone.
[0074] Alternatively, the programmable communicator may include
circuitry to terminate the calls of non-permitted callers
automatically. In the same way that the telephone number of an
incoming call can be shown on the screen of a mobile phone before
the phone is answered, this information may be used to enable the
programmable communicator to receive the call or to reject it.
[0075] Additional codes may be used by authenticated callers to
interrogate the status condition of the programmable communicator,
or to interrogate the status of data monitoring devices to which
the communicator is wired or wirelessly attached.
[0076] In this way, in the application for an improved child
communicator, only persons knowing the secret PUK code would be
able to change the calling number. This provides the essential
security for the parents. Furthermore, the feature, which causes
the communicator to reject all calls but those from telephone
numbers on the permitted callers list serves to shield the child
from unwelcome contact.
[0077] The following example demonstrates how five SMS messages
might program the permitted callers list A-E
TABLE-US-00001 SMS 1. PUK code A: 040 111 1111 SMS 2. PUK code B:
040 222 2222 SMS 3. PUK code C: 040 333 3333 SMS 4. PUK code D: 040
444 4444 SMS 5. PUK code E: 040 555 5555
[0078] The letters A to E in the five messages or any equivalent
coding may be used to designate the priority of the telephone
numbers of the permitted callers such that letter A designates the
number to which the programmable communicator is linked at this
moment.
[0079] In a simple use scenario, a child may be playing in the
garden or near to the house wearing a programmable communicator
programmed to the mother's telephone phone number, 040 111 1111. In
the next moment, the father comes home and sends an SMS to the
child's programmable communicator using his phone having telephone
number 040 222 2222. In this example, the message comprises PUK
code A:040 222 2222 which cause the calling number of the
programmable communicator to be now reprogrammed to call the
father's number if its call button is pressed by the child.
[0080] An additional security feature comprises software, which
will cause an SMS emergency message to be sent automatically to the
pre-programmed number if the wrist strap is broken or undone, or
the communicator is switched off. An additional sensor may be used
instead of a means to generate an SMS message if the wrist strap is
broken or undone whereby said sensor can sense the heat of the
skin, which will cause an SMS message to be sent if the
communicator is moved away from the skin.
[0081] Additional software features may generate messages to
indicate the charge of the battery or if the battery drains
completely or is removed.
[0082] To avoid a total failure condition, the programmable
communicator may comprise a separate back-up power supply in
addition to the battery, which is sufficient to generate an alarm
message or number of alarm messages, in the instance that a power
connection is lost from an associated device or if its own battery
supply drains completely.
[0083] In this way, the telephone number to which the programmable
communicator is linked receives messages about the status of the
battery and an indication of whether the communicator has been
removed from the child.
[0084] In a separate embodiment, is included the feature that
certain alarm messages are sent to one or more of the telephone
numbers, or IP addresses in the IP network application of this
invention, which are on the permitted callers list. This feature
would enable at least one other person to receive an alarm message
in case the primary linked telephone is busy or the associated user
of the linked telephone is unable to read the message
immediately.
[0085] The programmable communicator comprises a processing module,
which can receive information about its wrist strap or associated
attachment. In the embodiment of a smart clothes tag, the said
associated attachment may comprise a fibre or wire, which, if
mechanically pulled, causes the generation of an alarm message.
Clearly, in the case of a wrist worn communicator, the opening or
closing of the wrist strap may be used to activate an electronic
circuit to generate a status condition of the wrist strap. It is
anticipated that the receiver of the alarm message may then call
the child directly, if possible, to check if there is a problem.
Additionally, location based services may be used to locate the
position of the communicator relative to the network
infrastructure.
[0086] In a separate embodiment, the programmable communicator
comprises a feature, which enables a user to cause it to transmit a
status message periodically, according to a periodic duration as
set by the user, which will provide reassurance that the
communicator is functioning correctly, and for example, that the
wrist strap is closed, and that the battery has sufficient
power.
[0087] The types of data that the communicator can provide
periodically, or on request, are determined directly by the
application of the invention according to different remote
monitoring embodiments. In each application the programmable
communicator has the appropriate means to receive the data from the
monitoring device and the means to process the data.
[0088] The programmable communicator has further direct application
to the field of remote data monitoring such as in the home network
environment. Today, domestic appliances such as washing machines
and sauna heaters remain separate from one another and only a few
have the capability to be integrated into remote monitoring
applications.
[0089] The programmable communicator may be used to generate data
messages, which describe the status or change in status beyond a
threshold condition, of a household appliance and communicate this
data directly to a linked telephone number or IP address of a
linked device or Internet web page.
[0090] The use of GSM GPRS packet switching technology in this
context is ideal since the application does not require a
continuous circuit switched connection to the network. The remote
monitoring application comprises the use of a programmable
communicator, which reacts to a status condition and then initiates
a packet data transmission to the network. Consequently, the
programmable communicator comprises a separate back-up power supply
in addition to the battery, which is sufficient to generate an
alarm message or number of alarm messages, in the instance that a
power connection is lost from an associated device or if its own
battery supply drains completely.
[0091] In a separate home-network application, the programmable
communicator may be used to gather data from a number of associated
monitoring devices and to communicate this to the linked telephone
or IP device or Internet web page. The monitoring devices may be
directly linked to the programmable communicator by wire or
wirelessly connected by, for example, the BlueTooth radio
technology in which case the programmable communicator comprises
the necessary additional BlueTooth communications module.
[0092] In a sports or safety application, the programmable
communicator may comprise a smart clothes tag and be sewn into the
lining of a life vest such that a person paddling a canoe may use
it for urgent communication.
[0093] Other applications for the programmable communicator include
theme parks and other sports events or places where children may
become lost in the crowds.
[0094] In addition, the invention may be utilised as a voice and
data communicator for bicycles. In this application, data from the
bicycle such as speed could be used in sports training as a means
to enhance the performance of a cyclist. In a more general
application, a programmable communicator can be used to inform the
owner of a bicycle that his parked bicycle is being moved and to
determine its location, if needed, by making use of the
location-based services functionality of the telecommunications
network.
[0095] While only one embodiment of the present invention: the
programmable communicator within the context of the digital GSM
telephone system in particular, has been shown and described in
detail, it will be obvious to those persons of ordinary skill in
the art, that many changes and modifications may be made thereunto
without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example,
the hot link communicator may make use of any telephone technology
such as CDMA, and US-TDMA. Moreover, the inventive features of the
programmable communicator may be incorporated into a monitoring
device and integrated with it such that the device comprises the
capability of the programmable communicator. The invention is not
limited to the application of the programmable communicator as a
separate device, which separately communicates with data monitoring
devices but also includes the application of the functionality of
the invention as an integrated part of the monitoring device.
[0096] It is further to be understood that the invention may make
use of all coding schemes for storing numbers to the programmable
apparatus and the use of the PUK code was by way of example only.
The programmable communicator may comprise the means to accept all
manner of clip on covers so that the same base model may carry one
of a number of different covers to suit the tastes and the age
groups of different wearers.
* * * * *